Supporting International Students Through Culture, Community, and Campus Connections
International Programming & University Resources serves as a centralized and student-centered hub for cultural, academic, wellness, career and community engagement programming for international students.
International Student Orientation: Fall Admit
Welcome to EIU, Charleston, and the United States–we’re so excited that you’re here!
Your success at ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´is determined not only by the quality of your academic work, but also by how quickly you connect to the campus. To assist you in your transition, EIU requires you to participate in Orientation and Welcome Weekend - our three-part process to becoming an official EIU student.
Part 1: Online Modules
Once you’ve submitted your visa information, you’ll be given access to a series of online modules that will help start your EIU journey even before you in the United States. The modules will contain a series of short videos about planning your arrival to the United States, campus resources, and adjusting to life in another country. You’ll have access to these modules for throughout your entire time at EIU so you can go back and refer to the information as needed.
Part 2: International Orientation
EIU hosts an Orientation specifically for our newest international students. Continuing your education in another country is a major transition and we want to make sure we’re helping you be successful. You might be asking yourself, What is Orientation? We’re glad you asked. Orientation is the process of helping new students getting welcomed and acclimated to campus so that you can start your EIU journey off on the right foot. It is designed to address the most common questions and concerns that international students have, as well as cover important information such as immigration regulations about your visa, academic expectations, and cultural adjustment. Orientation is required for all new international students who are F-1 and J-1 visa holders.
Registering for a Program
Once you have submitted your visa information, you can sign up for an Orientation date through MyEIU. You will receive an email inviting you to register for Orientation. The invitation will contain a program reservation link to myEIU. Students will need to complete the reservation form online to secure a program date.
Students Entering Summer or Fall 2025
August 19-20 (Graduate Students)
August 19-21 (Undergraduate Students)
*Please plan on arriving to campus before Aug. 19. Orientation is required for all new international students who are F-1 and J-1 visa holders.
Part 3: Welcome Weekend
All new undergraduate students are required to participate in EIU's Welcome Weekend prior to the Fall semester. For students enrolling in the Fall 2025, you will participate in Welcome Weekend from Friday, August 22 through Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. You can learn more about Welcome Weekend by clicking here.
FALL 2025: PRE-ARRIVAL WEBINARS
Looking for information about the admissions process, preparing for your visa appointment, arriving to campus, and adjusting to life in the United States? Please check out the links below for recordings of our pre-arrival webinar series. Links will continue to be added throughout the summer so please check back frequently.
Webinar 1:EIU Acceptance and Admission
Webinar 2: Preparing for Your Visa Appointment (Coming soon!)
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“One of the best parts that you know interests me in studying here is how friendly the instructors are. You know, they don't just teach you for teaching's sake, they teach you for you to understand and then they make sure you understand what you're being taught. And then the serenity of the school environment is top notch.†- Justine (Nigeria) |
“ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´is the safest place at Charleston, and they have super-cool academic programs you can pursue here and they have many international student events to engage all the students on the campus.†- Krishna (India) |
“EIU has been incredibly welcoming from day one. I felt supported from the professors, to international student services, to the career services, and also the campus community. I think I love the tight knit community and the engagements it gives me, and the leadership and opportunities this school always brings students is just overwhelming. There's always a way to give and to grow here.†- Rebecca (Ghana) |
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